Dakota Johnson to Make Her Feature Directorial Debut with Intimate Film Written by Vanessa Burghardt
The actor-producer steps behind the camera for a passion project centered on neurodiverse storytelling and creative autonomy.
July 7 EST: Dakota Johnson is stepping into the director’s chair — and she’s doing it the Dakota way: under the radar, personal as hell, and with zero interest in industry pageantry.
At the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival this weekend, Johnson quietly dropped some major news: she’s making her feature directorial debut. No buzzed-about IP, no flashy genre bait — just an intimate story written by her Cha Cha Real Smooth co-star Vanessa Burghardt, who also happens to be one of the most promising autistic actors working today.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t a celeb flex. It’s a power move.
Johnson’s Directorial Era Has Arrived
The signs were there. She directed Coldplay’s “Cry Cry Cry” video back in 2020 (which, side note, still slaps) and followed it up with the 2024 short Loser Baby, a stylized, moody piece that played like Sofia Coppola meets music video melancholy. And she co-founded TeaTime Pictures with producing partner Ro Donnelly to back stories that are messy, emotional, and unapologetically female.
But when it came to a feature? Johnson had been holding back. Until now.
“I’ve always felt that I’m not ready to direct a feature… But with [Burghardt], I feel very protective,” she told People. “I just won’t let anybody else do it.”
That protectiveness — that gut instinct — is what pushed her to finally say yes.
A Story That’s Personal, Not Performative
We don’t have a title yet. Or a plot. Or a single glossy press image. What we do know: it’s small, personal, and tailor-made for the kind of raw, human storytelling Johnson gravitates toward.
The script is written by Vanessa Burghardt, who broke out with her disarming performance in Cha Cha Real Smooth and has been carving space for neurodivergent voices in a world that rarely makes room. Involving Burghardt not just as an actor but as a co-creator? That’s not just good casting — it’s a smart, intentional act of equity.
This is what TeaTime was built for. And honestly, it’s what fans want from Dakota Johnson: not just presence, but authorship.
Goodbye Toxic Sets, Hello Vibes-Only Filmmaking
Let’s also talk about what’s happening behind the camera.
Johnson’s been done with toxic work environments for a while now. In a recent InStyle profile, she flat-out said she’s no longer wasting time in bad situations — and she’s not letting that energy follow her into directing.
“There’s no room for that anymore,” she said. “It’s not the way I want to work, and it’s not the environment I want to create.”
Translation: her set is going to be drama-free, emotionally safe, and run by people who actually care. Revolutionary, right?
In a post-Don’t Worry Darling, post-The Idol era, the idea of a creatively nurturing set isn’t just refreshing — it’s the new cool.
Why This Matters Right Now
This move lands at a curious cultural moment. Hollywood is crawling toward more inclusive storytelling, but it’s still not normal to see an autistic actor write and co-lead a feature, especially with a major star like Johnson directing.
It’s also not typical to see an actress-turned-filmmaker make her debut without chasing awards bait or blockbuster clout. No biopic. No war epic. Just a film she cares about, made with someone she trusts.
That’s not just good taste — it’s strategy. Johnson isn’t trying to break Hollywood’s rules. She’s just building a quieter, better version next to it.
And that’s why fans should care. Not because it’s her “first time” or a “passion project,” but because it’s exactly the kind of grounded, non-performative storytelling the indie space needs right now.
What’s Next?
Development is early. There’s no casting news, no production dates, no release window. But the vision? It’s clear.
This isn’t about Dakota Johnson becoming a director. It’s about her already being one — just waiting for the right story to prove it.
New Jersey Times Is Your Source: The Latest In Politics, Entertainment, Business, Breaking News, And Other News. Please Follow Us On Facebook, Instagram, And Twitter To Receive Instantaneous Updates. Also Do Checkout Our Telegram Channel @Njtdotcom For Latest Updates.
A bi-coastal pop culture critic and former indie screenwriter, Gia covers Hollywood, streaming wars, and subculture shifts with razor wit and Gen Z intuition. If it’s going viral, she already knew about it.
